Recording/reproducing separation type magnetic head

ABSTRACT

A slider including a recording and reproducing separation type magnetic head includes that a proximal end of a first lead-out conductor is connected to a proximal end of a central winding portion of a coil sued for record, a distal end of the first lead-out conductor is connected to one terminal used for the record; a proximal end of second lead-out conductor is connected to a proximal end of the winding coil, and extended to an opposite direction against the first lead-out conductor along the upper surface of the slider, a distal end of the second lead-out conductor is connected to another terminal used for the recording device; a proximal end of a third lead-out conductor is connected to a reproducing device; a proximal end of a fourth lead-out conductor is connected to the reproducing device; the third lead-out conductor is extended along an air bearing surface of the slider in a lateral direction; the fourth lead-out conductor is extended along the air bearing surface of the slider in a direction opposite to the lateral direction; and the respective distal ends of the third and fourth lead-out conductors are connected to one and another terminals for the reproduction, making such an integrated circuit and the like connected to the terminals to be readily standardized and racking an electrode for a reproducing device short.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the positions of terminals of arecording/reproducing separation type magnetic head which copes with ahigh recording density, and the shape and structure of its lead-outconductors.

In connection with the pads of a magnetic head, there has beenJP-A-6-103530 disclosing a layout method of bonding pads capable offreely setting lead-out directions of wires. This method contemplates toaccomplish a smaller thickness and a smaller size by obliquely disposingthe bonding pads to an air bearing surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording andreproducing separation type magnetic head capable of reducing anelectrode resistance to be connected to a reproducing device andselecting a winding direction of a recording coil irrelevantly to adirection of a current flowing through terminals for a recording device.

The first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention foraccomplishing the object described above is that a slider including arecording and reproducing separation type magnetic head having amagnetic induction type device for record and a magnetoresistance effecttype device for reproduction connected through lead-out conductors toterminals includes that a proximal end of a first lead-out conductor isconnected to a proximal end of a central winding portion of a coil usedfor record, extended to an upper surface opposite to an air bearingsurface of the slider from the central winding portion, and extended toa lateral direction along the upper surface of the slider, a distal endof the first lead-out conductor is connected to one terminal used forthe record; and a proximal end of a second lead-out conductor isconnected to a distal end of the winding coil, and extended to anopposite direction against the first lead-out conductor along the uppersurface of the slider, a distal end of the second lead-out conductor isconnected to another terminal used for the record.

A position of the distal end of the first lead-out conductor connectedto the distal end of the coil used for the recording device may belocated on a position where a length of the coil is the same length inwinding both clockwise and counter-clockwise from the distal end to theproximal end of the central winding portion of the coil.

The coil used for the recording device and the first and second lead-outconductors may be constructed that the coil is wound in one direction;the first and second lead-out conductors are formed substantially inparallel; a substantially middle portion of the first lead-out conductoris connected with the proximal end of the central winding portion of thecoil; a substantially middle portion of the second lead-out conductor isconnected with the distal end of the coil; respective both distal endsof the first and second lead-out conductors are connected to one andanother terminals used for the record; a portion at the first lead-outconductor extended to one direction from a connected portion where thefirst lead-out conductor and the proximal end of the coil are connectedis cut apart; and a portion at the second lead-out conductor extended toanother direction opposite to the one direction from a connected portionwhere the second lead-out conductor and the distal end of the coil areconnected is cut apart.

The second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is that aslider including a recording and reproducing separation type magnetichead having a magnetic induction type device for record and amagneto-resistance effect type device for reproduction connected throughlead-out conductors to terminals includes that a proximal end of a firstlead-out conductor is connected to a proximal end of a central windingportion of a coil used for record, extended to an upper surface oppositeto an air nearing surface of the slider from the central windingportion, and extended to a lateral direction along the upper surface ofthe slider, a distal end of the first lead-out conductor is connected toone terminal used for the record; a proximal end of a second lead-outconductor is connected to a distal end of the winding coil, and extendedto an opposite direction against the first lead-out conductor along theupper surface of the slider, a distal end of the second lead-outconductor is connected to another terminal used for the recordingdevice; a proximal end of a third lead-out conductor is connected to areproducing device; a proximal end of a fourth lead-out conductor isconnected to the reproducing device; the third lead-out conductor isextended along an air bearing surface of the slider in a lateraldirection; the fourth lead-out conductor is extended along the airbearing surface of the slider in a direction opposite to the lateraldirection; and the respective distal ends of the third and fourthlead-out conductors are connected to one and another terminals for thereproduction.

The respective proximal ends of the third and fourth lead-out conductorsmay be connected to the reproducing device and extended along close toan air bearing surface of the slider in a laterally opposite directioneach other, the respective distal ends of the third and fourth lead-outconductors are connected to one and another terminals for thereproduction present within the terminals for the record close to thecoil.

The construction of the present invention described above can reduce thelength of the lead-out conductors to be connected to the reproducingdevice, and can therefore reduce the electric resistance. The length ofthe coil is the same whether the winding direction of the coil may beclockwise or counter-clockwise. Therefore, even when the coil is woundeither clockwise or counter-clockwise, the number of photomasks used forthe production process of the terminals and the lead-out conductors canbe reduced minimum and standardization of integrated circuits connectedto the terminals becomes easier. Furthermore, the arrangement of suchcircuits can be made uniform. Even when the winding direction of thecoil is unidirectional, the air bearing direction of the current flowingthrough the coil can be set either clockwise or counter-clockwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a slider having arecording reproducing separation type magnetic head according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view represented by arrows II—II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view when a coil is wound counter-clockwise in theslider;

FIG. 4 is a front view when the coil is wound clockwise in the slider;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory views each showing an example where acurrent flows through a coil of a recording device and a lead-outconductor in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the use of therecording/reproducing separation type magnetic head according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 7A is a front view showing a slider according to the related art;and

FIG. 7B is a front view showing an example of the slider according tothe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording/reproducing separationtype magnetic head according to an embodiment of the present invention,and FIG. 2 is a front view of a slider front surface of therecording/reproducing separation type magnetic head represented byarrows II—II in FIG. 1. In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes arecording/reproducing separation type magnetic head (hereinafterreferred to as the “slider”), reference numeral 2 denotes a trailingsurface, reference numeral 3 denotes a magnetic transducer, referencenumeral 4a denotes a terminal for a reproducing device, referencenumeral 4b denotes a terminal for a recording device, reference numeral5 denotes a lead-out conductor for connecting the reproducing device tothe terminal 4a for the reproducing device, reference numeral 6 denotesa lead-out conductor for connecting the recording device to the terminal4b for the recording device, reference numeral 11 denotes a slider uppersurface, reference numeral 12 denotes slider side surfaces, referencenumeral 13 denotes a slider air bearing surface, reference numeral 14adenotes a terminal connection portion for the reproducing device, andreference numeral 14b denotes a terminal connection 5 portion for therecording device.

In the slider 1 shown in FIG. 1, two terminals, that is, the terminal 4afor the reproducing device and the terminal 4b for the recording device,are disposed on each side of the magnetic transducer 3 comprising therecording device and the reproducing device on the front surface 2 onthe air outflow side of the slider 1. This embodiment uses the magneticinduction type transducer 3 as a recording device and amagneto-resistance effect type transducer 10 (hereinafter, referring toan MR transducer; FIG. 7B) as a reproducing device.

The construction shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. The MR transducer 10(FIG. 7B) and the terminal 4a are connected to each other by thelead-out conductor 5 and the magnetic transducer 3 and the terminal 4bare connected by the lead-out conductor 6. The lead-out conductor 6 isonce extended directly above from the center of the magnetic transducer3 (towards the slider upper surface 11 on the opposite side to theslider air bearing surface 13) and then to the right or the left. Sincethe lead-out conductor 6 for connecting the magnetic transducer 3 andthe terminal 4b extends on the slider upper surface side over theterminal connection portion 14a between the terminal 4a for the MRtransducer 10 (FIG. 7B) and the lead-out conductor 5 in this way, itbecomes possible to position the terminal 4a for the MR transducer 10(FIG. 7B) in the proximity of the magnetic transducer 3 and in theproximity of the slider air bearing surface 13.

FIGS. 7A and 7B comparatively show the pattern of the magneto-resistanceeffect type transducer 10, the terminals 4a and 4b and the lead-outconductors 5 and 6 of the magnetic transducer and the MR transducer 10of the related art and that of the present invention. In the frontsurface 2 shown in each of FIGS. 7A and 7B, pattern of lead-outconductors for the MR transducer 10 is represented by a solid line, anda dotted-line portion represents the positions of the terminal 4b forthe magnetic transducer and the lead-out conductor 6 that are formed bya post-treatment. As can be seen from the pattern for the MR transducer10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 7B, the electrode resistanceof the MR transducer 10 can be lowered by the decrement of the length ofthe lead-out conductor 5 with respect to the terminal 4a, that is, bythe degree corresponding to the oblique fine portion.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the slider 1 to which a magnetic transducer 3having a coil 7, which is wound clockwise, is mounted, according to thepresent invention, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the slider 1 to whichthe magnetic transducer 3 having a coil 7, which is woundcounter-clockwise, is mounted according to the present invention. Inthis slider 1, the coil 7 is formed through an insulating film such asalumina on the MR transducer 10 (FIG. 7B) inside the magnetic transducer3 which is disposed in the manner described above, and an upper magneticlayer 15 such as permalloy is formed through an insulating film such asa photoresist, thereby forming the magnetic transducer 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one of the lead-out conductors 6 (theconductor on the right side) is extended directly above from theconnection portion 6a between the coil 7 and the lead-out conductor 6(towards the slider upper surface 11), passes over the terminalconnection side of the MR transducer 10 (FIG. 7B) on the slider uppersurface side and is then connected to the terminal 4b of the magnetictransducer 3. The other lead-out conductor (the conductor on the leftside) is extended from the connection portion 6a between the coil 7 andthe lead-out conductor 6 in the proximity of the slider upper surface ofthe magnetic transducer 3, passes over the terminal connection portionof the MR transducer 10 (FIG. 7B) on the slider upper surface side andis connected to one of the terminals 4b (the terminal on the left side)of the magnetic transducer 3.

As described above, even when the coil 7 is wound either clockwise orcounter-clockwise, the coil 7 has the same length. Therefore, nodifference occurs in the electrical characteristics of the slider 1, andthe lead-out conductors 6 for connecting the magnetic transducer 3 tothe terminal 4b can be used in common. In consequence, the number ofphotomasks used in the production process may be only one with theexception of the cases where the coil 7 is wound clockwise andcounter-clockwise.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show the production process of the magneticinduction type structure except for the magneto-resistance effect typestructure in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 5A, two lead-out conductors 6 are formed so as to extend betweentwo terminals 4b and 4b at both ends of the coil 7 wound in onedirection. In FIG. 5B, a portion of one of the lead-out conductors 6extending to the right direction from a junction where the lead-outconductor 6 is connected with the distal end of the coil 7 is cut apartby Ar ion milling process, and a portion of the other of the lead-outconductor 6 extending to the left direction from a junction where thelead-out conductor 6 is connected with the proximal end of the coil 7 iscut apart by the same process. In this way. assuming that the directionof flowing current to one of the terminals 4b at one end is incorrect,two lead-out conductors 6 can be cut apart as described above, making acurrent direction constant. As a result, integrated circuits and othercomponents connected to the terminals 4b are not required to replacewith other new components when the connection is incorrect, avoidingcost increase. In FIG. 5C, a portion of one of the lead-out conductors 6extending to the left direction from a junction where the lead-outconductor 6 is connected with the distal end of the coil 7 is cut apartby the process, and a portion of the other of the lead-out conductor 6extending to the right direction from a junction where the lead-outconductor 6 is connected with the proximal end of the coil 7 is cutapart by the process. In this way, even though the direction of flowingcurrent to one of the terminals 4b at one end is correct, the directionof flowing current to the coil 7 can be changed, making the design forslider 1 easy. In addition, the lead-out conductors 6 can be cut apartby FIB (Focused Ion Beam) as well. In this way, the current can beallowed to flow both clockwise and counter-clockwise without changingthe winding direction of the coil 7, making specification of thecomponents and their locations standardized.

The coil 7 of the magnetic transducer shown in the drawings is composedof single layer, but it can be composed naturally of two layers.

FIG, 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment wherein therecording/reproducing separation type magnetic head. that is, the slider1, is mounted on a medium. According to this construction, the headhaving excellent electrical characteristics can be packaged and a highreliability apparatus can be obtained economically.

Incidentally, the lead-out conductors 5 connected to the terminals 4aand 4a for the MR transducer 10 in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7B are showndisposed substantially on the horizontal center line of the slider 1because the terminals 4b and 4b for the magnetic transducer 3 and theterminals 4a and 4b for the MR transducer 10 are formed at the samehorizontal position, but the terminals 4b and 4b and the terminals 4aand 4a are preferably formed on the side of the slider air bearingsurface 13 as close as possible in order to reduce as much as possiblethe resistance of the lead-out conductors 5. Particularly because thelead-out conductors 5 are preferably as close as possible to themagneto-resistance effect type sensor or MR transducer 10, they arepreferably so formed as to extend along the air bearing surface 13 asclose as possible thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A slider including a recording and reproducingmagnetic head formed on a trailing surface of said a slider andconnected to having a magnetic induction type device and a mnagneto-magneto-resistance effect type device for recording and reproducinginformation to and from a recording medium, connected through lead-outconductors to terminals, comprising: a first lead-out conductorconnected to a central end of a coil wound in a whirling-like manner asa recording device , a first conductor portion of said first lead-outconductor extending from the central end of said coil in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to a medium-opposing surface and extendingtoward an upper surface side of said slider which opposes saidmedium-opposing surface of said slider, and a second conductor portionof said first lead-out conductor extending from said first conductorportion and substantially parallel to the upper surface side in onelateral direction and is connected to a first recording device terminalprovided at a first lateral side of said slider; a second lead-outconductor connected to another end of said coil located at an outerportion of said coil, and extending substantially parallel to the uppersurface side of said slider in the other lateral direction and isconnected to a second recording device terminal provided at a secondlateral side of said slider; a third lead-out conductor connected to oneend of a reproducing said magneto-resistance effect type device locatedwith respect to said medium opposing trailing surface of said slider,and having a first conductor portion extending toward the upper surfaceside of said slider in a direction substantially perpendicular to saidmedium opposing surface, and a second conductor portion extending fromsaid first conductor portion substantially parallel to the upper surfaceside in the one lateral direction but closer to said medium opposingsurface than eider either of said first and second lead-out conductors,and is connected to a third reproducing device terminal which is closerto a center of said slider than either of said first and secondrecording device terminals; and a fourth lead-out conductor connected tothe other end of said reproducing magneto-resistance effect type device,and having a first conductor portion extending toward the upper surfaceside of said slider in the a direction substantially perpendicular tosaid medium opposing surface, and a second conductor portion extendingfrom said first conductor portion substantially parallel to the uppersurface side in the other lateral direction but closer to said mediumopposing surface than either of said first and second lead-outconductors, and is connected to a fourth reproducing device terminalwhich is closer to the center of said slider than either of said firstand second recording device terminals.
 2. A slider recording andreproducing magnetic head according to claim 1, wherein said firstlead-out conductor and said second lead-out conductor are arranged suchthat a length of said coil is the same whether a clockwise wound coil ora counter-clockwise wound coil is used with said first lead-outconductor and said second lead-but lead-out conductor.
 3. A sliderrecording and reproducing magnetic head according to claim 1, whereinsaid coil and said first and second lead-out conductors are constructedsuch that: said coil is wound in one direction; said first and secondlead-out conductors are formed substantially in parallel; asubstantially middle portion of said first lead-out conductor isconnected with a proximal end of a central winding portion of said coil;a substantially middle portion of said second lead-out conductor isconnected with a distal end of said coil; respective both digital distalends of said first and second lead-out conductors are connected to saidfirst recording device terminal and said second recording deviceterminal used for the recording magnetic head; a portion of said firstlead-out conductor extended to said other lateral direction said secondrecording device terminal from a connected portion where said firstlead-out conductor and said proximal end of said coil are connected iscut apart; and a portion of said second lead-out conductor extended tosaid lateral direction opposite to said other lateral direction saidfirst recording device terminal from a connected portion where saidsecond lead-out conductor and said distal end of said coil are connectedis cut apart.
 4. A slider recording and reproducing magnetic headaccording to claim 1 5, wherein said coils and said first and secondlead-out conductors are constructed such that: said first and secondlead-out conductors are formed substantially in parallel; asubstantially middle portion of said first lead-out conductor isconnected with a proximal end of a central winding portion of said coilsan end of said two-layered coil; a substantially middle portion of saidsecond lead-out conductor is connected with a distal end of said coilsanother end of said two-layered coil; respective both distal ends ofsaid first and second lead-out conductors are connected to said firstrecording device terminal and said second recording device terminal usedfor said recording head; a portion of said first lead-out conductorextended to said other lateral direction said second recording deviceterminal from a connected portion where said first lead-out conductorand said proximal end of said coils end of said two-layered coil areconnected is cut apart; and a portion of said second lead-out conductorextended to said lateral direction opposite to said other lateraldirection said first recording device terminal from a connected portionwhere said second lead-out conductor and said distal end of said coilsanother end of said two-layered coil are connected is cut apart.
 5. Aslider including a recording and reproducing magnetic head formed on atrailing surface of said a slider and connected to having a magneticinduction type device and a magnetoresistance magneto-resistance effecttype device for recording and reproducing information to and from arecording medium connected through lead-out conductors to terminals,comprising: a first lead-out conductor connected to an end of atwo-layered coil that has a first-layered coil connected to asecond-layered coil at central ends of both a said first-layered coiland a second-layered coil coils which are wound in a whirling-likemanner as a and used for recording device, ; a first conductor portionof said first lead-out conductor extending from said central ends ofsaid coils end of said coil in a direction substantially perpendicularto a medium-opposing surface and extending toward an upper surface sidewhich opposes a medium opposing surface of said slider, and a secondconductor portion of said first lead-out conductor extending from saidfirst conductor portion and substantially parallel to said upper surfaceside of said slider in one lateral direction and is connected to a firstrecording device terminal provided at a first lateral side of saidslider; a second lead-out conductor connected to outer peripheralanother end of said two-layered coil than said first-layered coilconnected to said second-layered coil at central ends of both saidfirst-layered coil and said second-layered coil coils, and extendingsubstantially parallel to said upper surface side of said slider in theother lateral direction, and is connected to a second recording deviceterminal provided at a second lateral side of said slider; a thirdlead-out conductor connected to one of a reproducing saidmagneto-resistance effect type device located with respect to saidmedium opposing trailing surface of said slider, and having a firstconductor portion extending toward the upper surface side of said sliderin a direction substantially perpendicular to said medium opposingsurface, and a second conductor portion extending from said firstconductor portion substantially parallel to the upper surface side inthe one lateral direction but closer to said medium opposing surfacethan either of said first and second lead-out conductors, and isconnected to a third reproducing device terminal which is closer to acenter of said slider than either of said first and second recordingdevice terminals; and a fourth lead-out conductor connected to the otherend of said reproducing magneto-resistance effect type device, andhaving a first conductor portion extending toward the upper surface sideof said slider in a direction substantially perpendicular to said mediumopposing surface and a second conductor portion extending from saidfirst conductor portion substantially parallel to the upper surface sidein the other lateral direction but closer to said medium opposingsurface than either of said first and second lead-out conductors, and isconnected to a fourth reproducing device terminal which is closer to acenter of said slider than either of said first and second recordingdevice terminals.
 6. A slider recording and reproducing magnetic headaccording to claim 5, wherein said first lead-out conductor and saidsecond lead-out conductor are arranged such that lengths of said coilsare the same whether a clockwise wound coil or a counter-clockwise coltwound coil is used with said first lead-out conductor and said secondlead-out conductor.
 7. A recording and reproducing magnetic head formedon a trailing surface of a slider having a magnetic induction typedevice and a magneto-resistance effect type device for recording andreproducing information to and from a recording medium, connectedthrough lead-out conductors to terminals, comprising: a first lead-outconductor connected to a central end of a coil wound in a whirling-likemanner and used for recording, a first conductor portion of said firstlead-out conductor extending from the central end of said coil in adirection substantially perpendicular to a medium opposing surface andextending toward an upper surface side which opposes a medium opposingsurface of said slider, and a second conductor portion of said firstlead-out conductor extending from said first conductor portion andsubstantially parallel to the upper surface side and is connected to afirst recording device terminal provided at a lateral side of saidslider; a second lead-out conductor connected to another end of saidcoil located at an outer portion of said coil, and extendingsubstantially parallel to the upper surface side of said slider, and isconnected to a second recording device terminal provided at a lateralside of said slider; a third lead-out conductor connected to one end ofa magneto-resistance effect type device located with respect to saidtrailing surface of said slider, and having a first conductor portionextending toward the upper surface side in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to said medium opposing surface which opposes said mediumopposing surface of said slider, and a second conductor portionextending from said first conductor portion substantially parallel tothe upper surface side but closer to said medium opposing surface thaneither of said first and second lead-out conductors, and is connected toa third reproducing device terminal which is closer to saidmagneto-resistance effect type device than either of said first andsecond recording device terminals; and a fourth lead-out conductorconnected to the other end of said magneto-resistance affect typedevice, and having a first conductor portion extending toward the uppersurface side in a direction substantially perpendicular to said mediumopposing surface, and a second conductor portion extending from saidfirst conductor portion substantially parallel to the upper surfaceside. In a lateral direction but closer to said medium opposing surfacethan either of said first and second lead-out conductors, and isconnected to a fourth reproducing device terminal which is closer tosaid magneto-resistance effect type device than either of said first andsecond recording device terminals.
 8. A recording and reproducingmagnetic head formed on a trailing surface of a slider having a magneticinduction type device and a magneto-resistance effect type device forrecording and reproducing information to and from a recording medium,connected through lead-out conductors to terminals, comprising: a firstlead-out conductor connected to an end of a two-layered coil that has afirst-layered coil connected to a second-layered coil at the centralends of both said first- and second-layered coils which are wound in awhirling-like manner and used for recording, a first conductor portionof said first lead-out conductor extending from said end of said coil ina direction substantially perpendicular to a medium opposing surface andextending toward an upper surface side which opposes medium opposingsurface of said slider, and a second conductor portion of said firstlead-out conductor extending from said first conductor portion andsubstantially parallel to said upper surface side of said slider, and isconnected to a first recording device terminal provided at a lateralside of said slider; a second lead-out conductor connected to anotherend of said two-layered coil than said first layered coil connected tosaid second-layered coil at central ends of both said first- andsecond-layered coils, and extending substantially parallel to said uppersurface side of said slider, and is connected to a second recordingdevice terminal provided at a lateral side of said slider; a thirdlead-out conductor connected to one end of said magneto-resistanceeffect type device located with respect to said trailing surface of saidslider, and having a first conductor portion extending toward the uppersurface side in a direction substantially perpendicular to said mediumopposing surface, and a second conductor portion extending from saidfirst conductor portion substantially parallel to the upper surface sidebut closer to said medium opposing surface than either of said first andsecond lead-out conductors, and is connected to a third reproducingdevice terminal which is closer to said magneto-resistance effect typedevice than either of said first and second recording device terminals;and a fourth lead-out conductor connected to other end of saidmagneto-resistance effect type device, and having a first conductorportion extending toward the upper surface side in the directionsubstantially perpendicular to said medium opposing surface, and asecond conductor portion extending from said first conductor portion ina lateral direction but closer to said medium opposing surface thaneither of said first and second lead-out conductors, and is connected toa fourth reproducing device, terminal which is closer to saidmagneto-resistance effect type device than either of said first andsecond recording terminals.